Sentinnel apparatus

ABSTRACT

A sentinnel apparatus for projecting a moving image to simulate the movement of a person, for example, in a vacent house to prevent intruders. The apparatus comprises a figurene which is rotated at a predetermined speed, with respect to a periodically activated light source. The figurine is mounted at an angle to a motor-driven arm in order to provide a swaying motion to a projected image while the arm engages a sprocket arrangement to further simulate the movement of a person. A plurality of pins are mounted to a rotating table to activate the light source at predetermined intervals.

United States Patent 1191 Fortis 1 Oct. 15, 1974 SENTINNEL APPARATUS 3,478,837 11/1969 Ross 240/101 x [76] inventor: John C. Fortis, 62 Vryland Ave.,

Clifton, NJ. 0701 1 Filed: Aug. 9, 1971 Appl. No.: 170,049

353/80; 340/338, 364, 378 B; 200/38 CA References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Witt 240/49 Trippe 240/49 Garkin et al. 200/28 CA X @m 240/101 Primary ExaminerRichard M. Sheen Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Irons, Sears & Spellman [57] ABSTRACT A sentinnel apparatus for projecting a moving image to simulate the movement of a person, for example, in a vacent house to prevent intruders. The apparatus comprises a figurene which is rotated at a predetermined speed, with respect to a periodically activated light source. The figurine is mounted at an angle to a motor-driven arm in order to provide a swaying motion to a projected image while the arm engages a sprocket arrangement to further simulate the movement of a person. A plurality of pins are mounted to a rotating table to activate the light source at predetermined intervals.

9 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures SENTINNEL APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to security devices and more particularly to a sentinnel device for simulating the presence of a person by projecting a moving image.

With the present concern over security due in part to increasing incidents of burglaries and other crimes, the public has turned'to numerous devices to discourage wrongdoers. Improved locks and burglar alarms are quite popular. However, one of the recommended methods of discouraging break-and-entires is to convey the impression that someone is present in a building. Consequently, sales of timing devices which are connected to lighting fixtures and other applicances have picked-up enormously.

Timing devices have the disadvantage of being inflexible so that if a residence is observed on a number of occasions, one could come to the conclusion that no one is present. On the other hand, the present invention is designed to simulate the presence of a person in a building and consequently offers greater security. Furthermore, the subject device of this invention is rather compact and inexpensive. A typical unit could be inches wide by 7 inches wide by 6 inches high. The prior art, which is directed mainly to display devices and is not pertinent to the present invention, includes US. Pat. Nos. 1,373,992; 1,596,921; 1,611,155; and 2,029,653.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved security device for buildings, residences, and the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved apparatus to simulate the presence of an individual in a building.

A further object of this invention is to provide a unique and inexpensive security device whereby the presence of a moving person is simulated, for example, on a window shade.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly seen when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention in a typical case arrangement;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the security device comprising the present invention taken along the line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the invention taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view of one of the actuating pins for contacting the light switch in an operating or on position; and,

FIG. 5 is a view of one of the actuating pins for contacting the light switch in a non-operating or off position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With reference to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the present invention pertains to a security or sentinnel device comprising an oblong body portion 11 having a window 12 one one of the curved ends thereof, a top portion or lid 13 having a knob-like protrusion 14 extending outwardly therefrom and a base portion 16. The device as illustrated is rather compact and can be readily positioned on a table, chair, or similar platform to project an image through window 12. Furthermore, it is easy to store and inexpensive to produce.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a figurine 17 is mounted on an arm 18 which is moved past the window 12 while the light 19 projects an image of figurine 17 through the window 12. The figurine 17 is rotated by motor 21 which is supported by the bracket 22. The drive shaft 33 of the motor 21 is connected to element 36 through slip clutch 34. The motion of the shaft 33 is thus transmitted to element 36 which is connected to arm 18 by a bolt 37 and spring arrangement. A pinion gear 32 mounted on shaft 33 engages gear 25 on shaft 28 to drive the intermediate gears 27 mounted thereon. A plurality of gears 26 mounted on shaft 23 are driven by gears 27 to rotate the table at a rate determined by the gear ratios.

The slip clutch 34 permits the arm 18 to be moved when setting the pins 39. The pins 39 which are mounted about table 24 number approximately 12 in the illustrated embodiment. As the table rotates, pins 39 positioned in the on" position of FIG. 4 contact microswitch 41 to periodically activate the light source 19. Pins 39 which are in the off" poisition of FIG. 6 do not activate the switch 41 which is mounted on support 41 and includes adjustment 43.

To set the pins 39, they are lifted and turned The pins 39 which may be molded as a single unit out of plastic include an enlarged cylindrical upper portion 44, a relatively narrow intermediate portion 46, and a shaped bottom portion 47 having part thereof cut away. The pins 39 each include a detent 48 which engages a matching portion of the table 24 to lock the pin an an on position.

The timing cycle of the device 10 is determined by the pin setting. As shown in FIG. 6, the bottom portion 47 of each pin 39 includes a notch 49 and a flat surface 51. When the pin 39 is in an on" position, as shown in FIG. 4, the notch 49 engages the micro-switch 41. On the other hand, the flat surface 51 is turned towards the switch to miss the actuating button when the pin is in an off position. The switch 41 activates the light 19 to project an image against an established area. The number of times the shadow may move to and fro may be set by adjusting screw 43.

The figurine 17 is designed to provide a human-like shadow and is slightly offset from the perpendicular or, in other words, is mounted at an angle to the arm 18. This produces a swaying motion as the figurine 17 is rotated. To provide further realism, the figurine 17 includes a gear 54 at the base thereof which engages a gear rack or toothed inner portion 56 of the case. This produces a wobbly movement.

In operation, one determines the cyle of the security device 10 by setting one or more of the pins 39 in an operating position. The constant low speed motor 21 drives the arm 18 in a rotational movement while the table 24 is also rotated. When a pin 39 engages the switch 41, the light 19 goes on causing an image to be projected through the window onto a surface such as a shade to simulate the presence of a person. When activated the light 19 stays on for a predetermined interval. If the figurine 17 is adjacent the window, the movement of the image is in a clockwise direction whereas the movemnt is counterclockwise when the figurine 17 is in the rear near light 19. Thus, the image conveyed is that of a person walking back and forth.

On the other hand the device may be programed to show an image moving only in one direction a predetermined number of times. The device 10 may also be used with a timer which would turn it on at specific hours.

It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are merely illustrative examples of the ap plication. Numerous other arrangements may be readily devised by those skilled in the art which will embody the principles of the invention and fall within the spirit and scope thereof.

I claim:

1. A security device comprising:

a light source,

a figurine simulating the appearance of a person mounted for movement with respect to the light source,

variable programming means mounted for independent movement with respect to the light source for determining the operation of the light source,

drive means coupled to the figurine and to the programming means for imparting movement to both and switch means coupled to the light source and periodically activated by the programming means as it is driven by the drive means to periodically operate the light source in a predetermined manner and project an image of the moving figurine simulating the presence of a person.

2. A security device in accordance with claim 1 further including:

a case enclosing said device having a window through which an image is projected, and

means coupled to the drive means to provide a wobbly swaying motion to the projected image.

3. A security device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the programming means comprises a table connected to the driving means and driven thereby and a plurality of actuating pins adjustably mounted thereabout, said pins being spaced from said switch means and being movable to an on position to engage the switch means or an off position to miss the switch means as the table is driven past.

4. A security device in accordance with claim 3 wherein:

the pins each include an enlarged upper portion which is gripped for setting the pins, an intermediate portion extending through the table, and a lower portion having an actuating face for engaging the switching means. 5. A security device in accordance with claim 3 wherein:

the pins are rotatable and each includes an actuating portion and a non-actuating portion which are on opposite sides and may be positioned for operation or non-operation by turning the pin 6. A security device in accordance with claim 3 further including:

gearing means driven by the motor, an arm connected to the gearing means and rotated thereby, said arm having the figurine mounted at one end thereof and at an angle to the arm to simulate the movement of a person. 7. A security device in accordance with claim 1 further including:

an arm coupled to the drive means and having the figurine mounted at an angle thereto one one end portion, said arm further including gear means connected to the figurine and a gear rack engaged by the gear means to impart a wobbly motion thereto. 8. A security device in accordance with claim 7 further including:

gear means driven by the drive means and connecting the arm to the drive means, and clutch means for disengaging the arm from the gear means. 9. A security device according to claim 1 wherein: the drive means comprises a motor having a drive shaft, clutch means at the end of the shaft and a second shaft having mating clutch means at one end and being coupled to the figure at the other end, a drive pinion mounted about the drive shaft, intermediate gear means meshing therewith and a driven shaft coupled to the programming means and having gear means mounted thereabout to be engaged by the intermediate gear means. 

1. A security device comprising: a light source, a figurine simulating the appearance of a person mounted for movement with respect to the light source, variable programming means mounted for independent movement with respect to the light source for determining the operation of the light source, drive means coupled to the figurine and to the programming means for imparting movement to both and switch means coupled to the light source and periodically activated by the programming means as it is driven by the drive means to periodically operate the light source in a predetermined manner and project an image of the moving figurine simulating the presence of a person.
 2. A security device in accordance with claim 1 further including: a case enclosing said device having a window through which an image is projected, and means coupled to the drive means to provide a wobbly swaying motion to the projected image.
 3. A security device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the programming means comprises a table connected to the driving means and driven thereby and a plurality of actuating pins adjustably mounted thereabout, said pins being spaced from said switch means and being movable to an on position to engage the switch means or an off position to miss the switch means as the table is driven past.
 4. A security device in accordance with claim 3 wherein: the pins each include an enlarged upper portion which is gripped for setting the pins, an intermediate portion extending through the table, and a lower portion having an actuating face for engaging the switching means.
 5. A security device in accordance with claim 3 wherein: the pins are rotatable and each includes an actuating portion and a non-actuating portion which are on opposite sides and may be positioned for operation or non-operation by turning the pin 180*.
 6. A security device in accordance with claim 3 further including: gearing means driven by the motor, an arm connected to the gearing means and rotated thereby, said arm having the figurine mounted at one end thereof and at an angle to the arm to simulate the movement of a person.
 7. A security device in accordance with claim 1 further including: an arm coupled to the drive means and having the figurine mounted at an angle thereto one one end portion, said arm further including gear means connected to the figurine and a gear rack engaged by the gear means to impart a wobbly motion thereto.
 8. A security device in accordance with claim 7 further including: gear means driven by the drive means and connecting the arm to the drive means, and clutch means for disengaging the arm from the gear means.
 9. A security device according to claim 1 wherein: the drive means comprises a motor having a drive shaft, clutch means at the end of the shaft and a second shaft having mating clutch means at one end and being coupled to the figure at the other end, a drive pinion mounted about the drive shaft, intermediate gear means meshing therewith and a driven shaft coupled to the programming means and having gear means mounted thereabout to be engaged by the intermediate gear means. 